CatalanMedium · Hot
A hearty Catalan-style braise where tender flakes of salt cod meet creamy chickpeas in a deep, slow-cooked sofregit, finished with smoky charred peppers and a bright squeeze of lemon.
20 min
40 min
10 min
1h 10m
Method
Place the bell peppers directly over a gas flame or under the broiler, turning occasionally, until the skin is charred and blistered on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let steam for 10 minutes, then peel off the charred skin, remove stems and seeds, and tear into strips. Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed casserole, heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook slowly, stirring with a wooden spoon, until soft, golden, and sweet, about 15 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. Do not rush this — you want the garlic温柔 and golden, not browned.
Grate the tomatoes directly into the pot (or finely dice and add). Cook the tomato into the sofregit over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the mixture deepens in color and concentrates, about 10-12 minutes. This slow sofregit is the backbone of the dish.
Pour in the chicken broth and add the drained chickpeas. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Nestle the cod fillets into the braise, placing the torn roasted pepper strips on top. Season with salt and white pepper.
Remove from heat. Finely chop the fresh parsley and squeeze the lemon juice directly into the braise.
Drizzle with an extra 2 tablespoons of good olive oil and give a gentle stir to combine.
Serve immediately in deep bowls, spooning the rich braise over crusty bread or alongside roasted potatoes. Generous and warm — the way NÚRIA would plate it.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -5
Calories
727
per serving
Protein
45g
Carbs
77g
Fat
28g
Sat. fat
4g
Fiber
14g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1878mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Estimated footprint
Grade pending · 71% ingredient coverage
kg CO2e
≥0.5
per serving
Chickpeas drives 37% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Dutch OvenTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cod must reach an internal temperature of 63°C/145°F throughout to ensure safe consumption. Check the thickest part of the fillet with a calibrated thermometer before serving.
Chicken broth should be heated to a rolling boil (100°C/212°F) or maintained at 74°C/165°F minimum before serving, especially when cooking for young children, elderly, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals.
Cross Contamination
Prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw fish. Clean and sanitize all surfaces that contact the cod before preparing other ingredients.
High Risk Population
Young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons are at higher risk from improperly cooked fish. Ensure thorough cooking and serve the braise immediately after preparation.
Storage
If storing leftovers, cool the braise to room temperature within 2 hours, then refrigerate at or below 4°C/40°F. Consume within 2 days. Reheat to 74°C/165°F before eating.
Handling
When roasting peppers over an open flame, use long tongs and keep a fire extinguisher or water nearby. Charred peppers release steam when covered — allow adequate vent space to prevent burns.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains fish. Individuals with fish allergies should avoid this recipe entirely. When cooking for guests, clearly label all fish-containing dishes.
The slow sofregit requires attention over medium-low heat for approximately 25-30 minutes total. Do not leave unattended, as the tomato base can burn and create bitter flavors.
Pro Tips
Technique
The sofregit is not a shortcut — it is the soul. Let your onions go golden and patient, fifteen minutes at least, and when you add the tomato, cook until it deepens to a brick red. That patience is the difference between a thin sauce and something that clings to every flake of fish.
Flavor Boost
If you have a mortar, pound a small picada of almonds, garlic, and parsley to stir in at the end. It thickens the braise beautifully and adds that rustic Catalan richness that no wooden spoon can replicate.
Substitution
Fresh cod is lovely here, but traditional Catalan cooking often reaches for the salt cod of our coast. If you use salt cod, be sure to soak it well and taste before seasoning — it brings an intensity that transforms the whole braise.
From the chef
This braise asks you to build it slowly and rewards you completely — salt cod flaking apart over creamy chickpeas in a sofregit that has cooked low for fifteen minutes until it turns deep and sweet, charred pepper strips laid across the top for smoke and color, finished with lemon and a generous pour of good olive oil. The sofregit is the backbone: onion, garlic, and grated tomato that whisper together until concentrated. The charred peppers carry escalivada's spirit into the pot. Serve in deep bowls with crusty bread and nothing left behind.
Source: generated · June 10, 2026